Saturday marked the first night races of the 2022 season at Wiscasset Speedway. The night, sponsored by JBRH Excavation & Welding Fabrication, featured all Group 1 divisions in addition to the Wicked Good Vintage Hobby class. The Brackett’s Market 4-Cylinder Pro division was the spotlight race of the night, featuring a growing field of competitors.
The 4-Cylinder Pro competition kicked off with a single 10 lap heat race. Garritt McKee missed a shift on the initial start, bunching the field up early. As a result, Ben Burgess took a spin, making hard contact with Andy Kaherl. The incident led to an early caution.
Taylor Lane took off with the lead on the restart, but young Daniel Harding was on the move behind her, advancing into the runner-up spot. Harding made his way to Taylor Lane’s door on lap 3, challenging for the top spot before taking over the following lap as Andy Kaherl followed. Harding held off Kaherl for the remainder of the race, scoring the heat victory. Callahan Cox rounded out the top 3.
10 drivers took to the track for the 30-lap feature following out of car driver introductions. Garritt McKee’s struggles continued as he missed another shift on the initial start of the feature, falling to the back of the pack. Callahan Cox took control of the early lead as Andy Kaherl lingered closely behind.
Daniel Harding was on the move early, clearing Andy Kaherl for the runner-up spot on lap 6. He then made quick work of Callahan Cox, claiming the lead the following lap as Ben Burgess and Josh Hall filed in behind him. Garritt McKee and Sylas Ripley made contact on lap 10, resulting in a caution.
Harding maintained his advantage on the restart as Josh Hall catapulted himself into the runner-up spot over Ben Burgess. Hall continued his pursuit in the coming laps, challenging Daniel Harding for the top spot on lap 16 before swiftly taking over.
Ben Burgess followed in Josh Hall’s footsteps, overtaking Daniel Harding for the runner-up spot on lap 22.
Josh Hall was able to fend off Ben Burgess in the closing laps of the feature, picking up his second consecutive victory in the division. Ben Burgess, Daniel Harding, Andy Kaherl and Callahan Cox rounded out the top five, making for a perfectly mirrored finish from Opening Day.
Josh Hall continues to dominate the 4-Cylinder Pro division, but Ben Burgess and Daniel Harding are both inching closer to the win as well. Who will be the first driver to knock Josh Hall off his throne? Stay tuned to find out!
You can catch the 4-Cylinder Pro division again on Saturday, May 21st. Until then, join us for Group 2 racing action and Mini Stock Mayhem on Saturday, May 14th. Grandstands open at 4:00 pm and green flag flies at 5:00 pm! As always, adult admission is just $5 with kids 6 & under FREE!
Please remember to support your local short tracks.
See you next time!
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